Page 63 of The Bonus

“For me, I meant for me.”

“Sure you did.” I pull out of his grip and walk backward so I can keep looking at him. “I have to get to work.”

“How are you getting there?”

“Mr. Holdsworth, my neighbor, is picking me up from the main road, he’s out there waiting.”

“Did you forget something?”

“Nope, I think my work is done here this morning.”

He gives me a sexy smile. “I’m going to need your keys.”

“Oh, right.” Embarrassed, I dig through my bag and fetch my keys and hand them over, he grabs me all rough like and kisses me again. “You behave in Mr. Holdsworth’s car now.”

I burst out laughing. “He’s eighty-nine.”

“You could bring a petrified rock back to life with that kiss.”

I walk off toward the main road and I can feel his eyes watching me, and I have to concentrate on not jumping in the air and kicking up my heels in excitement.

Finally!

Saturday night, 7:08 p.m.

Headlights shine up the street and a car slowly pulls up in the driveway. “He’s here,” Maria calls.

“Okay,” I call back. Ever since Russ and I kissed last Tuesday, I’m like a little kid at Christmas. He woke something up in me that had been long forgotten, and I don’t remember ever being this excited for a date.

I think I’ve turned a corner and finally realized it’s okay to want something for me. It’s taken me three years of being a mom and many lectures from Deb and Maria to realize that I don’t need to feel guilty every time I do something that doesn’t revolve around my kids. I guess I always felt that, because I’m doing this parent thing on my own, that they should get every ounce of me and my time.

Tonight, that changes, no more all or nothing. I need to find a balance, happy home life and a man who…I smirk, who am I kidding?

I want a hot man to fuck me well, to use my body like I want to use his.

It’s been way too long.

A knock sounds at the door, and my heart skips a beat. Maria and I purposely wore the kids out today and did every activity on earth so that we could get them to bed before I go out. That way I have no excuse to be preoccupied with worrying about what’s going on at home. We both know me too well.

“Hello.” I hear Maria’s voice as she opens the door.

“Hello, I’m Russel.” His deep voice echoes through the house.

I take one last look in the mirror; I’m wearing a black fitted dress that Deb and I bought during the week, my hair is down and I’m wearing makeup and black lingerie.

Lingerie.

With my heart beating hard in my chest, I come down the stairs to see Russel standing at the front door with a homemade bunch of flowers. Our eyes meet and he smiles softly. “Hi.” He looks me up and down. “You look beautiful.”

“Hi.” I beam.

He passes me the flowers and I nearly melt into a puddle.

“I’ll put those into some water, you two get going.” Maria smiles as she looks between us as we stare at each other.

“Thanks.” I pass her the flowers and float out the door and out to Russel’s truck. He opens the door for me and then leans in. “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look?”

“You should kiss me.”

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